engIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-0153828644654An Audit of Perioperative Antimicrobial Prophylaxis: Time to Take ActionSarah Mousavi1Elham Zamani2Faranak Bahrami3Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranDepartment of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iranhttp://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_44654_d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e.pdfAntibiotic prophylaxisClinical guidelineMedical practiceSurgeryHealth careengIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-0153879244655Professional Practices Promoting Health of Healthcare Workers: Comparison of Public and Private Hospitals in PakistanNourin Jivanynourin.jivany@aku.edu1Javed Yakoobyakoobjaved@gmail.com2Shazia Banashazia.bana@aku.edu3Asima Faisalasima.faisal@iobm.edu.pk4Humeira Jawed5Department of Health and Hospital Management, Institute of Business Management, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Health and Hospital Management, Institute of Business Management, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Health and Hospital Management, Institute of Business Management, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Health and Hospital Management, Institute of Business Management, Karachi, Pakistanhttp://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_44655_1678dd601f3640ea0a9730e3ea2fc1e9.pdfHealthcare WorkersHealth promotionpromotional activitiescommunicationengIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-0153939744760Managers’ Perspective toward Responsiveness in Non Clinical ServicesSima Rafieisima.rafie@gmail.com1Mahboobeh Irany Nasab2Razieh Montazerolfarajr.montazeralfaraj@yahoo.com3Fatemeh Sepasehf.sepaseh@gmail.com4Arefeh Dehghani Taftiarefeh.dehghani@gmail.com5Roohollah Askarir.asqari@gmail.com6Department of Health Management, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, IranDepartment of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranDepartment of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranDepartment of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranDepartment of Statistics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranDepartment of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran<strong>Background and Objectives</strong>: Responsiveness is a measure of how well a healthcare organization performs in accordance with patients’ expectations and is a central factor to patient satisfaction. To enhance responsiveness in a health facility, the first step is to identify its current situation. This study was conducted to evaluate the responsiveness of a sample of hospitals in Yazd Province (Central Iran) as perceived by their managers.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> Three hospitals of various types (one public, one private and one charity) were selected for survey, based on simple sampling. All hospital administrators, matrons, supervisors and head of the departments were asked to complete the study questionnaire. Based on an adapted version of WHO-proposed assessment model, responsiveness was measured in seven dimensions, including respect and dignity, informed choice, confidentiality, patient education and provider-patient communication, access to prompt services, quality of physical amenities and social support. The data were summarized by descriptive statistical methods.<br /> <strong>Findings:</strong> A majority of respondents (37.9%) considered dignity and respect as the key responsiveness dimension. The mean score of responsiveness was found to be 2.27<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.39 in a public hospital, 2.02<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.35 in a private and 2.24<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.32 in a charity hospital. Respect and dignity scored the highest among responsiveness dimensions (2.35<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.44), followed by patient education (2.34<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.32), and quality of physical amenities (2.23<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.39). The lowest score was given to informed choice (1.73<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.34), followed by access to services (1.95<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.43), and confidentiality (1.99<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span>0.27).<br /> <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Responsiveness and all of its dimensions were scored at moderate. Responsiveness and all its dimensions were scored at moderate level by the hospital managers. One should notice that the scores may be even lower from the patients’ perspective. Thus, our study in line with previous ones conducted in Iran indicates a large room to improve responsiveness in the health facilities. Based on our data, informed choice, access to the services, and confidentiality are the prime domains for improvement. http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_44760_0b56227ef9853d4428c20ff6de8d8ddc.pdfresponsivenessNonclinical servicesHospital managementPatient SatisfactionHealth system performanceengIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-01539810144656Effect of Lithium on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Level in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical TrialNastaran Majdinasab1Mehdi Masoudi Moqaddam2Seyed Ehsan Mohammadianinejadehsan_neuro@yahoo.com3Habib Haybartakamoolsk@yahoo.com4Seyed Navid Naghibi5Seyed Aidin Sajedidr.sajedy@gmail.com6Mojtaba Khademiyan7Marzieh Kordi8Neurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesCardiovascular Research Center of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical SciencesNeurology Department of Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences<strong>Background and Objectives:</strong> Previous studies have indicated that lithium may increase the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which in turn improves the recovery of patients with stroke. In this controlled trial we evaluated the effect of lithium on BDNF serum level in patients with ischemic stroke.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> In this randomized controlled trial (IRCT2013110515290N1), 46 patients with ischemic stroke in the territory of middle cerebral artery in lithium group who received aspirin (80 mg/d), atorvastatin (20 mg/d), folic acid (1mg/d), physiotherapy (10 sessions) and lithium carbonate (300 mg /BD/30d) 48 hours after stroke, were compared with 47 patients in the control group who received the same treatment regimen except lithium, in terms of the level of BDNF at 5 and 30 days after treatment,<br /> <strong>Findings: </strong>TheBDNF level after 30 days of treatment was found to be significantly higher in lithium group compared with control group. No significant difference in mortality rate between the two groups was identified.<br /> <strong>Conclusions:</strong> We obtained further indications for the positive effect of lithium on BDNF level. Administration of lithium carbonate, therefore, may provide an inexpensive approach to reduced rate of stroke-induced disability and improved patient outcome. http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_44656_604e6c0b6f148659b9622b083d24bfc6.pdfLithiumbrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)ischemic strokeClinical trialengIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-015310210649438Performance Indicators of Hospital Safety and Health Management Systems Based on the Nursing Staff ViewpointsCamellia Torabizadehtorabik@sums.ac.ir1Fariba Ghodsbin2Sorur Javanmardi Fard3Mehdi Amirkhani4Mostafa Bijani5Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, IranDepartment of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran<strong>Background and objectives</strong><strong>: </strong>Health management systems play a very pivotal role in prevention and reduction of hazards and improvement of staff performance; therefore, this study was aiming to evaluate the performance indicators of safety and health management systems in Vali Asr hospital of Fasa from the perspective of its nursing staff.<br /> <strong>Method:</strong> This descriptive-analytical study was performed in Vali Asr hospital, Fasa, Iran. Sampling was done via census; sample size consisted of 200 employees. Data collection tool was the standard hospital safety and health management system questionnaire. This questionnaire consisted of 53 items covering the 6 domains of: Management leadership, Employee participation, Hazard identification, Hazard prevention and control, Education and training, and Program evaluation and improvement. Each item was rated from 1 to 4 based on the Likert-type scale: Strongly disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly agree; 4 being the highest and 1 the lowest score. Data analysis was done via SPSS-19 using descriptive statistics, a t-test and analysis of variance. Significance level was determined at P≤0.05.<br /> <strong>Finding:</strong> Based on our findings, poor conditions in all domains were observed excepted in the employee participation domain. A significant relationship was observed between gender and the hazard identification, hazard prevention and program evaluation and improvement domains. No significant relationship was witnessed between work experience and the mentioned domains.<br /> <strong>Conclusions:</strong> It seems necessary for hospital administration to put in more effort and pay more attention to occupational safety and health in the workplace. In order to eliminate faults and weaknesses, we need effective evaluation, continuous improvement of staff training programs.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_49438_41dff35adc46fdff9df3707b1658cd02.pdfHealth managementHospital safetyNursing staffengIran University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Hospital Research2251-89402322-20852016-09-015310711249439Hospital Information System, a Tool for Effective Decision Making of Healthcare ManagersSeyed Mehdi Hejazi1Mohammad Ghasemimghasemi61@yahoo.com2Marziye Hadian3Reza Mohammadnjad4Department of Medical Information, Faculty of Health Service Management and Medical Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranSouth Khoran Province Health Center, Birjand University of Medical Science, Birjnd, IranHealth management and economics research center, Isfahan University of medical science, Isfahan, IranHealth management and economics research center, Isfahan University of medical science, Isfahan, IranStatistics and information are considered the most important source of power in organizations and the source for all managerial activities. If correct and comprehensive information are readily at hand, incorrect decisions will be reduced to a minimum. The purpose of this study is to review the effects of hospital information system in regards to effectiveness of decisions made by managers. The present study is a review and search of relevant articles in authentic national and international databases including articles from 2001 to 2016. Keywords used were: health information system, hospital information system, etc. Seventy articles were obtained from the search and 32 (abstracts and whole articles) were ultimately selected after removing irrelevant articles. During initial review, abstracts were first read and if needed the entire article was studied. Results of this review indicate that hospital information system play a significant role in improving hospital management performance along with performance of medical staff. Use of such systems were highly recommended in all articles. Application of such systems has also been considered amongst main requirements of managerial development. Also, most articles claimed that managerial decision making based on real information lead to increased performance and progress of management and ultimately increased hospital effectiveness and performance. In conclusion, hospitals must create and develop hospital information systems and recruit trained experts in providing practical information and knowledge in order to improve their current status.http://ijhr.iums.ac.ir/article_49439_7f6efe0a9d267735c82b589a3c4d1f91.pdfHealth information systemHospital PerformanceHospital information systemHospital management